Fully Funded PhD Fellowships in Renewable Energy, Community Development, and Social Justice – South Africa (2026)

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About the COM-PRES Project

The COM-PRES project (Communities and the Private Renewable Energy Sector: Distributing Social Development Benefits in South Africa) is a four-and-a-half-year collaborative research initiative funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and led by Professor Marianne Ulriksen of the University of Southern Denmark.

The project is implemented in South Africa through the Centre for Social Development in Africa (UJ) and the Centre for Social Science Research (UCT). It seeks to explore how South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) contributes to equitable social development. A particular focus is on Community Trusts (CTs) and other benefit-sharing mechanisms established by private renewable energy developers to distribute social and economic benefits to local communities.

The research examines whether these initiatives meaningfully address inequalities, promote community participation, and enhance local development outcomes.

Doctoral Opportunities

We are recruiting three full-time PhD students, each aligned with a specific workstream of the COM-PRES project.

• Two positions will be based at UJ’s CSDA, supervised by Dr Anthony Kaziboni and Prof Lauren Graham.

• One position will be based at UCT’s CSSR, supervised by Prof Jeremy Seekings.

PhD Fellow Benefits:

• Integration into a multidisciplinary project team collaborating across institutions and with industry stakeholders.

• Access to training in qualitative and participatory research methods.

• Participation in cross-workstream workshops, writing retreats, and research dissemination activities.

• Fieldwork experience across REIPPPP sites in South Africa.

• Opportunities for international exchanges with the Danish research team.

• Potential for co-authored publications and policy engagement.

Funding includes:

• A three-year full stipend, covering research-related travel and fieldwork costs.

• Access to COM-PRES doctoral support structures for academic and professional development.

Available Workstreams

Workstream 2 – Community Perceptions and Preferences of REIPPPP Benefit Distribution

Supervisor: Prof Jeremy Seekings | Institution: UCT

This workstream explores community perspectives on who should benefit from renewable energy initiatives and how. It combines quantitative mini-surveys with qualitative interviews and focus groups to capture nuanced insights. The PhD student will take a leadership role in designing and conducting data collection, analyzing community perceptions, and synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations for improving benefit distribution.

Workstream 3 – “Who Has a Say?” The Politics of Distribution

Supervisor: Dr Anthony Kaziboni | Institution: UJ

This research focuses on the governance and power dynamics underpinning the distribution of social benefits. It examines how negotiations and contestations among IPPs, local governments, community leaders, and civil society shape outcomes. The PhD candidate will conduct comparative case studies of Community Trusts, exploring representation, inclusion, and exclusion in decision-making processes.

Workstream 4 – Participatory Approaches to Enhancing REIPPPP and Community Engagement

Supervisor: Prof Lauren Graham | Institution: UJ

This workstream evaluates community engagement strategies in renewable energy projects, testing whether participatory tools and governance approaches can improve trust, influence, and accountability. The PhD student will explore innovative methods for co-designing community engagement mechanisms and capacity-building initiatives, allowing communities to play a more active role in shaping social development benefits.

Applicant Profile

We welcome applications from candidates who:

• Hold a Master’s degree in Social Sciences or a related discipline.

• Achieved a minimum of 70% average in their Master’s studies.

• Are able to commit full-time to doctoral studies for three years.

• Can be based in Johannesburg or Cape Town and travel extensively for fieldwork.

• Proficiency in South African vernacular languages (Afrikaans, Setswana, isiZulu) is highly advantageous.

Eligibility:

• South African and SADC-region applicants are strongly encouraged.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Application Process

Deadline: 30 September 2025
Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted in early October 2025.

To apply, submit the following materials to Thembeka Somtseu at thembekas@uj.ac.za:

1. 2-page motivation letter, indicating:

   • The workstream you are applying for and why.

   • Alignment with the project’s objectives and your research interests.

   • Prior experience in:

     • Fieldwork (qualitative, quantitative, or participatory)

     • Data analysis (quantitative and qualitative)

     • Participatory or community-based research

     • Proficiency in South African vernacular languages

2. Detailed CV

3. Certified academic transcripts and qualifications

4. Writing sample (e.g., MA thesis or research paper)

5. Contact details of two academic referees

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding specific workstreams:

• WP2 – Community Perceptions: Prof Jeremy Seekings – Jeremy.seekings@uct.ac.za

• WP3 – Politics of Distribution: Dr Anthony Kaziboni – anthonyk@uj.ac.za

• WP4 – Participatory Approaches: Prof Lauren Graham – lgraham@uj.ac.za

• Overall Project Lead: Prof Marianne Ulriksen – mu@sam.sdu.dk

This doctoral fellowship offers a unique opportunity to combine cutting-edge research on renewable energy policy with meaningful social impact, exploring how private sector energy initiatives can foster inclusive development in South African communities. Candidates will gain hands-on fieldwork experience, develop expertise in participatory research, and contribute to policy-relevant scholarship in a global context.

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